BRIDGETON -- A man charged with criminal homicide in connection with the shooting death of 27-year-old Tara Hayes on Jan. 12 in Stow Creek Township allegedly tried to cover up the shooting by attempting to set fire to the home where Hayes was killed, according to Cumberland County prosecutors.

A.J. Eldridge, 32, of Bridgeton, was arraigned Tuesday in Superior Court in Cumberland County on charges of possession of a .45-caliber firearm for an unlawful purpose, possession of a firearm without a permit and arson, in addition to criminal homicide.

During the formal reading of Eldridge's charges, Superior Court Judge Robert Becker revealed one new detail about Hayes' homicide withheld by state police assigned to the case.

Becker stated that Eldridge was accused of attempting to set fire to the Geisinger Avenue home where Hayes lived with her daughter and her father after Hayes was shot, “by allegedly setting two window curtains on fire with a flame lighter.”

According to Assistant Prosecutor Dave Branco, Eldridge was unsuccessful in burning down the home, but the allegations of arson were an aggravating factor which should factor into Eldridge's bail and sentencing if he is indicted and convicted of murder.

“If there still were a death penalty in New Jersey, the arson would be an aggravating factor ... committing a crime to cover up another crime,” Branco said during the court proceeding. “It would put Eldridge in the mid- to upper-range for sentencing on the murder charge ... in excess of 40 to 63 and 1/2 years (in prison).”

Becker set Eldridge's bail at $725,000 on Tuesday.

Eldridge is not being held at Cumberland County Jail, but at another secure facility in the state, according to Prosecutor Ron Casella.

After his arrest, Eldridge was being held at South Jersey Healthcare-Regional Medical Center in Vineland for undisclosed medical reasons, but has since received medical clearance.

Eldridge showed little emotion at Tuesday's court proceeding.

When asked whether he intended to file for a public defender, the Cumberland County College student and part-time bouncer muttered that his mother was looking into hiring a lawyer.

After the hearing, Casella declined to give too many additional details about the case, which he said was still under investigation.

According to Casella, what is believed is that, on Jan. 12, Eldridge went to the home of Hayes, also a Cumberland County Colleges student with whom Eldridge previously had a romantic relationship.

“He was known to the victim's family,” Casella remarked.

There was no sign of forced entry at the home.

It is possible that Hayes, who was home alone, let Eldridge inside the house, or the door to the home was unlocked, Casella said.

An argument took place in Hayes' upstairs bedroom, during which time she was shot twice in the head and chest.

Her body was discovered by her family several hours later.

During the next 12 hours, police arrested Eldridge and charged him in connection with Hayes' death.

Branco said Tuesday that he was aware of where Eldridge allegedly obtained the weapon used in the shooting, but declined to give details.

The firearm was not defaced.

It had allegedly been obtained legally prior to Eldridge receiving it, according to prosecutors.